Part 40 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE HEROIC TAILOR.
The tailor and his hands were very busy. All sorts of colored cloths and pieces of uniforms were lying about. On the bench, in the middle of the room, sat four workmen, hard at work. Not a word interrupted the silence now desecrated by the noise of the opening door. He who sat on a somewhat raised seat, and was just braiding a magnificent scarlet hussar-jacket, hastily looked up. His hand, armed with his needle, had just risen and remained suspended; his eyes, which he had at first raised carelessly from his work, were fixed on the door, which framed so unusual and attractive a picture--a young lady of surpa.s.sing beauty, surrounded by three youthful soldiers, who looked very fine and imposing, too, and whose looks were turned to him with a kind and inquiring expression.
”You are M. Martin, the merchant tailor, are you not?” asked the lady, greeting the tailor with a gentle nod.
”That is my name,” said M. Martin, involuntarily rising from his seat.
”Well, then, my dear sir,” said the lady, advancing a few steps into the shop, ”I should like to say a word to you.”
”Yes, I imagine what it is,” exclaimed the tailor, who fixed his eyes now upon Theodore Korner, and recognized his tormentor. ”The gentleman has been here twice already about a uniform for Sunday.
But I could not make it, if an angel descended from heaven to entreat me.”
”Well, I thank you for your compliment,” said Madame von Lutzow, smiling. ”But tell me now, sir, why can you not accommodate him?”
”Because I have more work now than I am able to finish. I was rash enough to accept so many orders, that I do not know how I shall be able to fill them; and in the excitement and confusion prevalent in the city it is impossible to get a.s.sistance at present.”
”Well, if that is the only reason, we bring you fresh help. These two young volunteers are ready to work under your supervision, and finish the uniform of their comrade.”
The tailor glanced toward the two young volunteers. ”Lads, scarcely sixteen years old!” he said, shrugging his shoulders; ”it is impossible that they can be experienced artists.”
”But both affirm that they are tailors,” said Madam von Lutzow, ”and skilled in their trade.”
”Yes, sir, please give us a trial,” begged Leonora.
”We are quick and skilful workmen,” protested Caroline.
”Regular tailors?” asked M, Martin.
”Yes, regular tailors,” replied Leonora.
”Very well. Finish this collar; the needle is still in it,” said M.
Martin, handing the scarlet soldier-jacket to Leonora.
The young volunteer blushed, and said in a low voice: ”To be sure; sir. I must ask you to show me how to do it, for I have never yet worked on men's clothes.”
”A ladies' tailor?” exclaimed M. Martin, with an expression of boundless contempt. ”The other one, too?”
”Yes, I also am a ladies' tailor,” said Caroline, smiling.
”And they are bold enough to offer their a.s.sistance to me!”
exclaimed M. Martin, shrugging his shoulders.
”It is only necessary for you to give them proper directions, sir,”
said Madame von Lutzow, entreatingly, ”for as they know how to ply the needle they will easily understand what to do.”
”And if the uniform should not fit well, or be badly made, it will be laid at my door, and M. Martin will be blamed for it. I a.s.sure you I cannot take the job; I am short of workmen of the necessary experience. No one wants to work now-adays--all heads are turned-- all young men are enlisting.”